The Baikal teal (Sibirionetta formosa) belongs to the duck family, Anatidae.
The Baikal teal breeds in eastern Siberia and winters in East Asia and occasionally in Indian Subcontinent.
Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Sibirionetta formosa
- Common Name: Baikal teal
- French: Sarcelle élégante; German: Gluckente; Spanish: Cerceta del Baikal;
- Other names: Anas formosa, bimaculate duck, squawk duck or dabbling duck;
- Family: Anatidae › Anseriformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Species author: Georgi, 1775
Description
The Baikal teal (Sibirionetta formosa) is a small dabbling duck with striking head pattern. The male bird measures 39 to 43 cm in length and weighs 360 to 520 grams. The female weighs 400 to 500 grams.The male Baikal teal has a distinct patches of brown, green, white and black pattern on the head. The head of the male bird is larger than the female. The breast of the male bird is pinkish with dark spots.
The flanks are grey and the undertail-coverts are black. The shoulder feathers of these teal species are long with streaks of chestnut-red, black and white. Females and juveniles have plainer plumage.
Teal males make deep, chuckling wot-wot-wot and the females utter a low quack.
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| Indian birds - Baikal teal - Sibirionetta formosa |
Habitat
The Baikal teal are found in the rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes close to woodlands. They were observed feeding on farm lands.Feeding habits
These teal species feed on seeds, grains, leaves, stems, grasses, aquatic plants, snail and crops.Breeding
These teal species arrive at the breeding grounds in April-May and start laying at the end of May south of Arctic Circle. They nest near water in open tussock meadows and mossy bogs.Distribution
The Baikal teal species are migratory birds. They breed in Eastern Siberia, Russia. They pass through Mongolia and North Korea to winter in Japan, South Korea and mainland China.These teal species are rare winter visitors to Indian Subcontinent, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Movement Patterns
The Baikal teal move southwards towards wintering grounds from September, peaking through October and November. They return back to the breeding grounds in mid March/early April onwards.Status and conservation
Considering the decline in the population of Baikal teal before 2011, they were classified as Vulnerable. The rapid and consistent increase in their numbers accompanied by increases in the species's range are very positive trends. However hunting and loss of habitats are the persisting threatening factors for these teal species.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these teal species and has listed them as of "Least Concern".
| Biological classification of Sibirionetta formosa | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Sibirionetta |
| Species: | S. formosa |
| Binomial name: | Sibirionetta formosa |
| Distribution: | east and north Asia and rarely in Indian Subcontinent; |
| Feeding habits: | seeds, grasses, aquatic plants and snails; |
| IUCN status listing: |  Least Concern |
Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duck_3e_(6967040814).jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/6967040814/
Author: Tony Hisgett | License: CC BY 2.0
Current topic in Birds of India: Baikal teal - Sibirionetta formosa.